X-ray absorption spectroscopy is used to investigate the photodissociation of the imides PMDI (pyromellitic diimide) and SSMCC (sulfosuccinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-1-carboxylate). PMDI contains only one type of imide, and its photodissociation can be explained by a simple conversion from imide to a mix of imine and nitrile after desorption of the oxygens from the imide. SSMCC contains two different imides. One reacts like PMDI, the other in a more complex multistep process. Eventually, N-2 is formed in the bulk of the sample at high radiation density. The sequence of reactions is inferred from the pi* peaks in total electron yield and fluorescence yield absorption spectra at the N 1s and O 1s edges. First-order rate equations are used to model the evolution of the peak areas versus radiation dose.